Tech firms Google and Palo Alto sounded the alarm. They warned organizations that the group, also known as Muddled Libra and UNC3944, is targeting the aviation industry. 

A post on LinkedIn by Sam Rubin, an executive at Palo Alto’s cybersecurity-focused Unit 42, stated, “Unit 42 has observed Muddled Libra (also known as Scattered Spider) targeting the aviation industry. Organizations should be on high alert for sophisticated and targeted social engineering attacks and suspicious MFA reset requests.”

Similarly, Charles Carmakal, an executive with Alphabet-owned Google’s cybersecurity-focused Mandiant unit, said his company was “aware of multiple incidents in the airline and transportation sector which resemble the operations of UNC3944 or Scattered Spider.”

Previous Attacks On Casinos By The Hackers

The group emerged in 2022 and is thought to have first targeted telecoms companies using SIM swap scams, multi-factor authentication fatigue attacks, and phishing by SMS and Telegram. 

In 2023, the hackers gained notoriety for attacks on major casino operators Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International. Caesars reportedly paid a $15 million ransom to limit the damage, half the original $30 million demanded by the group. 

The hacking group confirmed that it obtained six terabytes of data from Caesars and MGM in a social engineering attack on IT support. That halted much of the casino operations and obtaining user data such as social security and driving license numbers.

In the attack on MGM, Scattered Spider is believed to have gained access to the system by calling the casino’s helpdesk and posing as an employee they found on LinkedIn. 

Last year in July, a 17-year-old in the UK was arrested in relation to the hack. The teen was released on bail and the investigation is ongoing. 

Due to the breach, MGM and Caesars were sued and MGM paid $45 million to affected victims in January this year. On top of the payout to victims, the hack is estimated to have cost the company over $100 million. 

The group has also previously gone under the names Star Fraud, Octo Tempest, and Scatter Swine. It has since carried out attacks on Twilio, Visa, Snowflake clients, and major insurers, including Aflac. 

Other Cases Of Social Engineering Attacks

Gambling companies have been targeted by hackers in the past, in particular in the crypto betting sphere. Stake reportedly lost $41 million in funds in an attack in September 2023. This was at the same time as Scattered Spider’s hacks on Caesars and MGM. 

In similar tactics to those used by the group in the attack on MGM, where they obtained employee information through LinkedIn, a North Korean hacking group has also been implicated in an attack on a Canadian gambling provider. 

The group used LinkedIn, Telegram, and Zoom to make contact with employees, impersonating known contacts of the company. 

The shift of Scattered Spider to aviation companies shows any industry could be a target. However, gambling companies in particular face a heightened risk due to the large amounts of money flowing through the companies, and high-value data stored on servers. 

According to Mandiant, “Ransomware groups specifically target sectors with a low tolerance for downtime. Gambling is at the top of that list.”

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MGM Resorts International

Jeff Mochal has joined MGM Resorts International as senior vice president of corporate communication, where he will be based in Las Vegas and report to Ayesha Molino, who has been promoted to senior vice president of public affairs.

Mochal will oversee the company’s corporate communications and strategic positioning, leading issues management strategy and proactive media relations, internal communications and social impact and sustainability messaging strategies for issues affecting the company on a global scale.

“Jeff is joining the company at a crucial time. His skills and expertise will be invaluable as our industry recovers from the pandemic and MGM Resorts seizes on rapidly growing opportunities in mobile gaming and executes on its goal to become the premier global omni-channel gaming, hospitality, and entertainment company,” said Molino.

“Jeff’s strong background and years of experience defining a corporate mission and strategy as a clear and compelling narrative makes him a valuable addition to this leadership team.”

Gaming1

Gaming and sports betting operator Gaming1 has appointed Lana Khoury to the role of chief information officer, building upon a 20-year career in the technology and consulting industry.

Chosen for an ability to align business and IT by managing technology in pursuit of an organisation’s success, the position will see Khoury build on the awareness of the group’s brands, as well as implementing organisational changes to support the company’s agile delivery model and data-driven focus.

Sylvain Boniver, COO and co-founder at Gaming1, noted: “I am delighted to welcome Lana to the team. A world-class addition, her appointment forms part of a recruitment drive aimed at accelerating our continued international expansion into crucial markets.

“With a precise and technically-minded approach, as well as an impressive skillset and portfolio, she is exactly what we need to take our brand to the next level.”

A Game Above

Nicolas Fleiderman has been selected as the new chief executive officer for A Game Above, taking over fromSteen Madsen who stepped down earlier this year.

Fleiderman’s appointment comes soon after the customer experience campaigns and consulting agency celebrated its first anniversary.

In his new role, the new CEO will focus primarily on the company’s growth within regulated markets across Africa, Europe, the US and Latin America as well as the ‘omnichannel opportunity’.

Bill Pascrell III, president of A Game Above, stated: “An industry veteran of Nicolas’ calibre is totally the right call for the A Game Above team at this point in the business mission. The commitment to detail and delivery is obvious across Jakob Famme and Ismail Vali’s experience and day-to-day.

“As president, I’m looking for the medium to long term performance and structure that builds reliably to success. Nicolas’ appointment delivers a  dealmaker and sole decision-maker with a solid track record that speaks to only one outcome: getting the job done, and done well. I’m very much looking forward to working with him.”

Checkd Media

Manchester-based social media marketing and technology business Checkd Group has hired Glenn Townsend as poker manager for its Checkd Media division.

Townsend, who was previously marketing manager at partypoker liver, will take on the role of delivering Checkd Media’s poker strategy, which centres around the Footy Accumulators Poker League.

Alex Beecham, Checkd Media managing director, commented: “Glenn’s track record with partypoker live shows that he has the drive and expertise to maintain the momentum that the Footy Accumulators Poker League has picked up over the past year.

“We intend for poker to continue to be a strong element within our product mix, engaging our communities and driving traffic.”

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Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said on May 19 that Wynn and MGM have already held talks with senior government officials.

The Bangkok Post quoted Julapun as stating that the government held talks with MGM on May 19 following a previous meeting with Wynn.

Wynn, MGM: Thai Casino Plans?

The Deputy Finance Minister added that two other unnamed “major foreign investment firms have also scheduled meetings to discuss potential investments. “

Julapun said: “Both Wynn and MGM Resorts share the same view as us. They are interested in investing in Thailand and believe our legal framework is quite solid, especially regarding money laundering and gambling regulation.”

The government official added that potential investors know they are participating in an open consultation phase.

He said that Bangkok intends to hold a “fair and transparent bidding process” before issuing concessions.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her ruling Pheu Thai Party want to legalize casinos as part of new entertainment complexes.

However, she will need lawmakers to approve her proposal to legalize the gambling sector. Many MPs and senators, including Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, bitterly oppose the bill.

Anutin and leading senators have called on Paetongtarn to hold a referendum on the proposal, claiming it violates the Thai constitution.

Demonstrators expressed displeasure at the proposal outside the parliament building in early April.

Despite Paetongtarn’s efforts to fast-track the bill through parliament, senators want to hold a review. Experts claim this could hold up the bill until the last few months of the year.

But Paetongtarn’s government appears undeterred. Julapun said: “We are now clearly signalling that we are open to discussions with investors. Especially as we move forward with drafting legislation and seek to attract over 100 billion baht [$3 billion] in investment.”

We Only Want to Work With Major Companies, Says Thai Government

Julapun added that the government will not work with small or unprepared investors due to worries about their capacity to adhere to regulations and fight gambling addiction and money laundering.

The Deputy Minister says the government must listen to industry stakeholders to ensure that new regulations comply with global standards and align with investors’ expectations.

Earlier this month, the former abbot of one of Thailand’s most famous temples was publicly disrobed over allegations he stole money from temple funds to spend on illegal online gambling platforms.

The post MGM, Wynn Resorts, Two More Investors Meet Thai Government For Casino Complex Talks appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The settlement revolves around a complaint filed by the NGCB on 17 April involving the company’s failure to stop illegal gambling activities involving two bookmakers, Wayne Nix and Mathew Bowyer.

A previous Non-Prosecution Agreement between the US Attorney’s office for the Central District of California, MGM Grand, and The Cosmopolitan detailed Nix’s illicit activities. 

The Nevada investigation centred on the actions and failures of MGMRI’s employees concerning Nix and Bowyer. 

The NGCB investigation also uncovered MGMRI’s failures to enforce the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program adequately. However, the Control Board noted that the MGMRI executives and employees cooperated during the extensive investigation.

MGMRI To Address AML Failures As Part Of Nevada Settlement

Despite the cooperation, the Stipulation includes an $8.5 million fine that MGMRI must pay to Nevada’s General Fund, along with additional specific conditions to be placed on MGMRI and the properties’ gaming licenses.

The settlement proposes several measures to remedy the issues identified with the company’s operations. Most of them focus on enhancing the AML program, with one step being additional training and increasing employee awareness of AML requirements.

The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) must approve the Stipulation before the settlement becomes legally binding. The NGC will likely decide at its next monthly meeting on 24 April 2025.

The two bookmakers are currently awaiting sentencing for federal charges involving illegal gambling and money laundering. 

Bowyer At The Center Of Another Controversy

MGM’s breaches come just weeks after the NGC levied the second-largest penalty in Nevada’s gaming history.

The settlement included a $10.5 million fine that Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) had to pay. Interestingly, the case against it also included Bowyer and his activities as an illegal bookmaker, alongside Damien LeForbes.

The Nevada Gaming Commission opted for a high penalty to deter similar incursions by other state casinos and resorts. 

However, the controversial bookmaker Bowyer, who ran an illegal gambling operation involving more than 700 clients, found himself at the center of the MGMRI controversy, as well.

The RWLV investigation found that Bowyer enjoyed numerous extended privileges beyond what Las Vegas casinos typically offer to their high rollers. These included his wife becoming his personal casino host, unchallenged exorbitant losses, and the use of private jets.

The post Nevada Gaming Control Board Enters Stipulation For Settlement With MGMRI appeared first on CasinoBeats.

If approved, the bill would enable the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to hand out Category 1 sport betting licences to MGM Springfield (pictured) and Encore Boston Harbor, which opens this year, while Plainridge Park would be eligible for a Category 2 licence, reports CBS Boston.

In a statement, Baker said the plan represents “an opportunity for Massachusetts to invest in local aid while remaining competitive with many other states [that are] pursuing similar regulations.

“Our legislation puts forth a series of common-sense proposals to ensure potential licensees are thoroughly vetted and safeguards are in place to protect against problem gambling and illegal activity,” he said.

The governor’s office estimates the move would add $35m to state coffers in 2020, boosted by an application fee of $100,000 plus further fees of “at least $500,000” that need to be renewed every five years. Licensees would pay tax at 10 per cent, while online betting would be taxed at 12.5 per cent.

The governor’s proposals are similar to those put forward in one of three bills earlier this week, specifically SB903, proposed by senator Brendan Crighton. The other bills came from Massachusetts senators Bruce Tarr and James Welch.

Massachusetts could become a hive of sports betting activity should the proposals make it into law. MGM Resorts currently operates the state’s sole casino in Springfield and there is the Massachusetts State Lottery to consider. Also in the frame is Boston-based daily fantasy sports operator DraftKings.

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Interviewed on Bloomberg Daybreak: Middle East, Murren said that the US-based operator was confident Osaka would be leading the line when Japan finally confirms the three IR locations.

“We believe Osaka will be the first IR location,” said Murren. “The government is very anxious to get the World Expo 2025 site in Osaka developed soon,” he said, adding that this would give Osaka the edge over the other two IR locations – none of which have been officially confirmed.

Referring to the anticipated invitation to submit interest in developing and operating an IR site in Japan, Murren confirmed that MGM would respond to a Request For Proposals should the opportunity arise. “MGM is going to be one of the bidders for the RFP,” he said.

“I am confident Osaka will be one of the three (IR sites) and I am working hard for MGM to be the IR operator in Osaka,” Murren reiterated.

“We’re meeting with Japanese companies and hope to form a Japanese consortium. We’re trying to outwork our competitors a little bit, so well see.”

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37 million

GVC Holdings says the UK government’s imminent four-week national lockdown will cost the FTSE100 company an estimated £37m. 

England’s retail closure will cost the FTSE betting group a reported £27m, while the closure of its Eurobet Italia and Ladbrokes BE subsidiaries will cost £10m.

However, should the governments of Wales and Scotland replicate lockdown enforcements, a full UK retail closure would cost the company £34m – leading to combined UK and European retail losses of £43m.

66 

MGM Resorts International recorded net revenues of $1.1bn in the three months to September 30, a 66 per cent drop against the same period in 2019. The hardest hit properties were in Las Vegas and Macau, where flagship resorts were only partially open during the period and, even then, with footfall significantly down due to social distancing measures.

Net revenues for MGM China were down a whopping 94 per cent year on year, to $47m while Vegas revenues dropped 68 per cent against Q3 2019, to $481m. However, CEO Bill Hornbuckle founds grounds for optimism in both MGM’s resilience during the pandemic and also the ongoing success of the BetMGM joint venture with GVC Holdings.

1.25 million

Las Vegas’ Circa Resort and Casino, the first Vegas resort-casino built from the ground up in four decades, has officially opened.

The 1.25 million square-foot, adults-only property is lauded as paying homage to Vegas’ ‘Golden Era’ through vintage design, ‘old-school hospitality’ and nods to the city’s history while also laying claim to ‘high-tech advancements and cutting-edge amenities’.

Conceived by developer and CEO Derek Stevens, Circa’s opening marks a series of firsts and achievements for Las Vegas:

48

NatWest has introduced a gambling block on debit cards, giving customers the option to trigger a 48-hour cooling off period via their mobile banking app. Any transactions attempted during that time will be declined, with the block remaining in place indefinitely unless a customer chooses to remove it, in which case it can only be disabled after the
48-hour period.

Anna Hemmings, CEO of GamCare, praised the move. “The ability to block gambling transactions through your bank card or app is an important tool for those struggling with their gambling, and is ideally used together with other practical tools such as self-exclusion, blocking software, and specialist support around the issue,” she said.

“GamCare is pleased to see NatWest take this positive step to support their customers and we hope more of the financial sector follows suit.”

52

Zamba.co, the Colombian online gaming brand from Gaming1 is offering players in the country a wide range of games from Evolution Gaming, the first time live casino has been available in Colombia.

Zamba is now able to offer Colombian players 52 games from the Evolution catalogue, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, and the studio’s signature gameshows.

“I am incredibly proud of the outstanding agility demonstrated by our world-class teams and am of course delighted that we are the first operator to offer the market live casino,” noted Sylvain Boniver, COO & co-founder of Gaming1.

The post MGM Resorts, GVC, NatWest and Circa: <br> The week in numbers appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The most recent developments have served to cement this interest as both Thailand and Japan sought to take strides forward in the race for legislation. 

Both Japan and Thailand present very different prospects for operators looking to enter – where they place their focus will be fascinating as both continue to unfold in terms of regulatory frameworks. 

MGM appears to have very much secured its position in Japan after the group waived its right to withdraw from the market sector, putting the country on the path to a 2030 launch, in relative tandem with Thailand. 

Localisation is going to be essential for MGM in the region as it looks to guarantee market share and tap into the cultural nuances of Japanese players. 

Meanwhile, all signs in Thailand point to a more competitive market – with  Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra bringing an end to a period of political disruption by using her policy statement as a launchpad for plans for the sector. 

It is likely that 10% of integrated resort venues will be able to focus on gambling, whilst the rest are committed to entertainment. It was also reported that there will be a total of seven resorts in Thailand including three in Bangkok. 

Given the thriving tourist economy it’s hard to put a ceiling on just how major these venues could be as hotspots within the country and how much footfall they could generate. 

For operators expanding into Thailand they will need to bring a high level of allure to tourists, generating the feeling that players are at a venue that taps into the essence and appeal of the country’s culture.

There are also moves afoot in the Philippines to tap into the gaming sector in a bid to bolster its economic output. 

Looking to urge operators away from engaging with the grey market, The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) moved to reduce steps to reduce fees for operators by 2025. 

The development was confirmed by Alejandro Tengco during a keynote address at the IAG Academy Summit on Tuesday, who confirmed that licence fees for online gaming operations will be lowered to 25%.

Furthermore he added that they will drop to 30% for other integrated resorts and land-based operators. 

The changes are taking place as the region takes significant steps to clean up its gambling sector and tackle the black market, with licensed integrated resorts set to see a reduction of 10% in charges on GGR.

Speaking at the Summit, Tengco emphasised that gentrification of the business “encourages operators away from the grey markets and to embrace the mainstream”, something that will prove vital as he unites with governmental forces to bolster the crackdown on illegal operations in the region. 

On the other hand, the capital of gambling in the region Macao is seeking to diversify its economy, with newly elected CEO of the region Sam Hou Fai warning that the country will be left with no choice but to identify new income streams.

Responding to a journalist’s question on the current state of play for the gaming industry and its role in the economy of the area, he opined that it is a sector that has become ‘uncontrolled’.

He said: “After the return of sovereignty, Macau held an open tender for the gaming industry, and the tourism and gaming industry developed rapidly afterwards, but for a period of time, it developed in an uncontrolled manner.

“The Central Government’s proposal for Macau to develop its economy in an appropriately diversified manner is a mandatory question for the Macau SAR Government, not a question of choice.”

Continuing on a cautionary theme, Hou Fai advised that the task of economic diversification could be a difficult, but essential journey as he warned of the major impact of the country losing ‘momentum of development’. 

It’s hard to truly predict exactly how gaming markets will unfold within Southeast Asia. But while it’s a case of much remains to be seen, there’s no doubt that this vibrant region presents one of the most significant new opportunities for operators.

The post CB Insight: all eyes on Southeast Asia as emerging market allure grows  appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Media in the region detailed that the debut casino project in the region is set to launch in Osaka and predicted to be worth around $10bn.

The plans are set to not only see the launch of a casino in Osaka, but also an entertainment complex that bolsters the tourism economy of the region. 

The decision from MGM likely opens the door for construction to commence on the project, as Japan continues in its efforts to be one of the most significant emerging opportunities for operators. 

In its most recent financial update, MGM provided a timeline for the progression as the group revealed that it is aiming for preparatory construction to start at the end of the year, with main construction to commence in 2025. 

In a recent interview with CasinoBeats, Rhino Entertainment’s Country Manager for Japan, Maya Yazaki, emphasised that there is also a “growing sentiment” in favour of regulating online gambling. 

She stated: “It will be interesting to observe how the government navigates the anticipated challenges and whether it opts for legalisation accompanied by measures for responsible gambling and adherence to anti-money laundering guidelines in the future.”

Furthermore, she added that brand will be an essential ingredient to success in the Japanese market and those that enter should ensure they have a strong understanding of Japanese culture and important nuances. 

Japan has been in something of a race with Thailand as two of the industry’s most alluring emerging markets, with both South Asian countries touted to open at then end of the decade. 

Nonetheless, Thailand remains on course for a 2029 opening even despite recent change of political leadership in the region. 

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In total, 19.5bn patacas ($2.4bn), numbers that were bolstered by a growing number of visitors in the region – as footfall and tourism continued to grow significantly. 

The consistent easing of pandemic-like restraints and regulations were also integral to fuelling the revenues, however, the region has still never quite reached the heights of March 2019. 

It’s growth that will be viewed as a boost for the region though, as it defies analysts to continue on an upward trajectory in terms of engagement, traffic and importantly revenue. 

Recent years and the current economic climate in China has also seen a myriad of casinos in the region of Macau diversify what they offer to consumers –  becoming entertainment venues and tapping into a growing number of avenues to engage audiences. 

Underlining just how significant the period of growth in the Macau gaming sector, MGM China recently detailed that it no longer requires funding as it halted a lucrative revolving loan facility with controlling shareholder MGM Resorts. 

After agreeing the cancellation of the loan, it was also revealed that it was untouched as the region and the operator look set for a fruitful period amidst economic growth. 

Optimism came from significant success that has already been enjoyed by MGM in the region, as revenue was reported to have spiked in 2023. 

The growth was largely underpinned by an uptick when it comes to the recovery of the markets in the region, off the back of the easing of restrictions after the pandemic. 

In spite of the positivity a challenging era may well be ushered in for the casino sector in Macau, as regulatory frameworks around VIP players become increasingly stringent. 

Although tighter restrictions loom, Morgan Stanley recently provided a bright outlook for Macau’s gaming sector in the year ahead, with companies predicted to elevate their non-gaming investments significantly. 

Analysts at the bank outlined: “If we assume VIP recovery in Dec was 30 per cent of 2019’s level (23 per cent in 3Q23), mass recovery should be ~20 per cent above 2019. We expect Macau gaming companies to follow the Macau government and increase wages by two to three per cent in 2024. We also think the opex portion of non-gaming investment, and potential competitions for gaming hosts/sales, could put upward pressure on opex.

“On capex, we think companies will accelerate their non-gaming spend in 2024. Sands has the scale to have 76 per cent of its committed investment in capex while other operators will need to spend more on opex, which could impact their margin.”

In 2023, the region reported gross gaming revenue of $22.7bn, a staggering annual increase of 334 per cent. 

As a result of the recorded numbers, a stipulation has been triggered which will mean that the six major operators in the region will have to raise their spending on non-gaming investments by 20 per cent.  

In a recent comment from Las Vegas Sands, the group’s Chair and CEO, Robert Goldstein, emphasised his optimism for market growth as the firm continues to expand across Asia. 

“We are staunch believers in the growth of the Macao market near and long term,” Goldstein commented on LVS’ latest earnings call. 

“LVS has invested $15bn in Macau, which is the most important land-based market in the world. A few reference points to consider, third quarter EBITDA represents strong growth compared to previous quarters, as I mentioned. Our retail business in Macau has far exceeded pre-COVID numbers.”

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